Rebound check for starter drives



061;. 18, 1932. 3, KEARNEY 1,883,377

REBOUND CHECK FOR STARTER DRIVES Filed Sept. 1, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet l I INVENTOR A TTORNE Y Oct. 18, 1932. D. P. KEARNEY REBOUND CHECK FOR STARTER DRIVES Filed Sept. 1, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 L9 6 INVENTOR ehw/Qf Patented Oct. 18, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE p DANIEL P. KEARNEY, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR TO ECLIPSE MACHINE COMPANY, OF ELMIRA, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK REBOUND CHECK FOR STARTER DRIVES Application filed September 1, 1931. Serial No. 560,584.

a novel device for receiving and retaining a starting pinion in its idle position whenit'is thrown out of engagement with the engine member, but which does not interfere with the traversal of the pinion into mesh when the starting mechanism is operated.

Another object is to provide such a device which is controlled in its action by the speed of rotation of the pinion whereby effective and reliable operation thereof is assured.

A further object is to provide such a de-' vice which is of simple construction, which is economical to manufacture and is readily adaptable to existing types of starters.

Further objects and advantages will be apparent to those skilled in this art from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a preferred embodiment of the invention showingthe parts in normal or idle position;

Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the in driving position;

Fig. 3 is a similar view showing the parts in the positions assumed when the pinion is thrown out of mesh with the engine gear;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged section taken substantially on the line 4-4 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail in plan view of the pinion with its movable detent member Fig. 6 is an enlarged section taken substantially on the line 66 of Fig. 3; and

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the fixed detent member.

Referring first to Fig. 1 of the drawings, there is illustrated a starting motor 1 having an extended armature shaft 2 on which is slidably mounted a power member in the form of a hollow shaft 3 which is threaded parts for a portion of its length as indicated at 4 (Fig 2) and on which is threaded a drivlng member in the form of a pinion 5 adapted to be traversed thereon into and out of mesh with an engine member in the form of a flywheel gear 6.

The screw shaft 3 is adapted to be driven from the motor shaft 2 through a yielding driving connection comprising a drive spring 7 connectedat one end as by means of a cap screw 8 to a driving head 9 fixed on said motor shaft, and at its other end by a cap screw 11 to a driven head 12 formed on said screw shaft 3.

. Means are provided for normally retaining the pinion 5 in its idle or demeshed position such as a compression spring 13 hearing at one end against a stop 14 on the end of the screw shaft 3, and at its other end against a thrust washer 15 engaging the forward end of said plnion.

According to the present invention, means are provided for receiving and holding the pinion 5 when it is thrown back to its idle position in they form of a yielding clip or dey tent member 16 fixed on the driven head 12 by means of the cap screw 11 and extending toward the pmlon, and a second detent member 17in the form of a friction shoe mounted on the rear face of the pinion. 5. The shoe 17 is adapted to slide radially as by means of a stem 18 journaled in a bracket 19 on said pinion whereby said shoe may move into or out of position to engage the fixed detent member 16. Suitable means are provided for normally holding the movable detent member 17 in a retracted position, such as aspring 21 surrounding the stem 18 and bearing between an enlargement 22 on the end of said stem and the bracket 19. The weight of detent member 17 and the strength of the spring 21 are so related that upon rapid rotation of the pinionthe detent member 17 will be moved radially outward by centrifugal force into position to engage the fixed detent member 16.

k In operation, starting with the parts in the positions shown. in Fig. 1, energization of the motor 1 by the operator causes the rapid rotation of the motor shaft 2 and screw shaft 3 whereupon the pinion 5, by reason of its inertia, is traversed into mesh with the en gine gear as illustrated in Fig. 2. Further rotation of the motor shaft causes rotation of the pinion 5 to crank the engine. V] hen the engine starts, the acceleration of the engine gear 6 causes the pinion 5 to overrun the screw shaft and be thrown backto idle position as illustrated in Fig. 3. The rapid rotation of the pinion at this time causes the detent member 17 to be moved radially outward so as to engage the detent member 16 as illustrated in Figs. 3 and 6 whereby the momentum of the pinion isdissipated and the pinion is prevented from bounding back toward the flywheel. When the starting motor is deenergized, the detent member 17 is returned by the spring 21 to its normal position where it will not interfere with the traversal of the pinion into mesh when the starting mechanism is again operated.

Although but one form of the invention has been shown and described in detail, it will be understood that various changes may be made in the construction and arrangements of the parts and that other embodiments are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined in the claims appended hereto.

YVhat is claimed is r 1. In starting mechanism for internal combustion engines, a power member, a driving member mounted thereon for rotation thereof and therewith, and connected to be moved thereby into and out of engagement with a member of an engine to be started, a detent on said power member, and a speed responsive element on said driving member normally positioned out of cooperative relation with said detent but arranged to be moved upon rapid rotation of said driving member into position to engagesaid detent and arrest such rotation.

2. In starting mechanism for internal combustion engines, a power member, a driving member mounted thereon for rotation thereof and therewith, and connected to be moved thereby into and out of engagement with a member of an engine to be started, a yielding detent fixed on said power member adjacent the idle position of said driving member, and a centrifugally mounted shoe on the driving member arranged upon rapid rotation of said driving member to its idle position, to engage said detent and cooperate therewith to prevent rebounding of said driving member toward the engine member.

3. Starting mechanism for internal combustion engines, including a motor driven screw shaft, a pinion threaded thereon for automatic traversal to engage and drive an engine gear, a spring detent member mounted on the screw shaft adjacent the idle position of the driving member, a friction shoe mounted to slide radially on said driving member, yielding means normally holding said shoe retracted, said shoe being movable by centrifspecification.

DANIEL P. KEARNEY. 

